Results of five years monitoring for {Toxoplasma gondii} infection in animals by the official Italian Zoonoses Informative System (SINZOO)

BACKGROUND AND AIM: {T. gondii} is the fourth most important parasite in world and second out of 14 foodborne pathogens USA Europe. Meat-borne transmission causes food-borne infections Europe (EFSA-European Food Safety Authority). SINZOO part Veterinary Informative System Italian Ministry Health. It collects transmit data to EFSA, published annual EFSA/ECDC summary reports on zoonoses. The aim this study was evaluate effectiveness for epidemiological surveillance toxoplasmosis Italy. METHODS: Among animal species tested Italy between 2015 2019 ones commonly reared human consumption (sheep, cattle, pig, goats) were selected, moreover wild boars, ruminants, cats. RESULTS:Infection rates ranged from 0.73% boars 45.72% sheep. Total number animals 37 pigs 3449 sheep 2018. Besides a relevant incidence among 2018 (45%) (32%), higher infection more often reported pigs. Between 67% overall analyses carried one region (Sardinia), mostly (sheep) emerged targeted research or clinical investigation. In fact 83.45% performed following suspicions while only 8.43% came official controls, highlighting underestimation by national veterinary health system. CONCLUSIONS:Despite EFSA recognizes relevance toxoplasmosis, not included zoonoses under mandatory notification, making rather scarce uneven. Data suggest that still hazard monitor meat inspection in-farm survey, effective evaluations appropriate public interventions. This issue characterizes Europe, monitoring should be made with uniform rules. KEYWORDS: Incidence, Epidemiology, Policy practice, Risk assessment, Foodborne diseases, Infectious diseases